(Dining Alternatives)

By Dave Shute

OVERVIEW: DINING AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

If you can’t or won’t follow the meals recommended in this site’s itineraries, use one of three tools.

First, note the discussion of the overview of dining at Disney World and notes on the best-loved family and date night meals on this page.

Second, note the chart below, which arrays kid appeal (top to bottom, top is best) and adult appeal (left to right, right is best). Click it to enlarge it.

Third, the Disney World guide book I co-author has reviews of all the Disney World table service venues.

Above is an example of a review from the book.

 

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18 comments

1 Mel { 09.15.12 at 3:48 pm }

Do you have any quick service rankings? Or did I miss them…? Thanks!

2 Dave { 09.16.12 at 10:05 am }

Mel, I don’t!

3 anna schrul { 09.21.12 at 8:34 am }

we have already signed up for the quick service dining plan. we missed the free by going oct 5th. I am very nervous about knowing how to use it so I really wish you had included the quick service resturants that are included. Otherwise I just stumbled on this site and love it THANKS

4 Dave { 09.21.12 at 1:07 pm }

Hi Anna, thanks for the thought. You’ll be fine!

5 Shana { 08.27.13 at 6:31 am }

Dave, what are your thoughts on the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party? I just saw it online. Is the view from there to see Wishes that great or would we be better off trying to enjoy Wishes closer to Cinderella’s castle? Thanks!

6 Dave { 08.27.13 at 8:08 am }

Shana, frankly I think it a waste. The best viewing spot for Wishes is on the Main Street axis view of the Castle, and the party is a bit–not a lot but a bit–off axis.

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7 Claire { 09.08.14 at 1:38 pm }

My family will be eating several buffets . However, I don’t do buffets. Is it possible for me to order a small appetizer for myself while the rest of the family ( we are 9 people) eats at the buffet table? We will be eating buffets at Boma, Chef Mickey and Ohana. Thank you. Claire

8 Dave { 09.09.14 at 6:37 am }

Hi Claire, I’m not sure what you are asking, so I’ll try two responses: 1. There is no separate appetizer menu from which you can order. 2. At a buffet, everyone at the table 3 or older pays, regardless of how much or how little they eat

9 Ziporah { 10.14.15 at 12:33 pm }

Do you have any reviews for Be our Guest?
Also could I substitute it for another place on the itinerary and if so which would you recommend swapping out? Thanks in advance!

10 Dave { 10.14.15 at 5:05 pm }

Ziporah I have a review of lunch there here. It’s outdated, as you now can-and should–reserve lunch there. Yes, you can swap lunch or dinner for any other Magic Kingdom meals!!

11 Mike { 10.03.17 at 11:09 pm }

Hi Dave Love the Site! My question is you can start making dinner reservations 6 months out. We are planning on going April 8th, on what day/time will I be able to start my reservation process. I just want to make sure I am able to secure Be our guest, which we love, and was thinking on trying the rivers of light dinner, any suggestions on that one. Thanks!

12 Dave { 10.04.17 at 7:18 am }

Hi Mike and thanks! You can make them (EST) 6a online, 7a over the phone, 180 days before your first dining date. If you are staying in a WDW hotel, on that day you’ll also be able to make dining reservations for your entire trip.

13 Mark C { 04.16.18 at 12:27 pm }

Hi Dave – On our upcoming visit, we have a dinner reservation at ‘Ohana. We will be at Magic Kingdom that day, but plan to return to Pop Century to take a break in the afternoon. We will have a car and will drive to the Poly and park there for our dinner reservation. We may decide to return to the MK for the last couple of hours in the evening. After dinner, will we need to drive to the TTC and park, or will we be able to leave our car at the Poly and take the monorail over to MK?

14 Dave { 04.17.18 at 8:33 am }

Mark, nominally this is considered bad form, but people do it all the time.

15 Cindy { 09.23.18 at 12:21 am }

Hi Dave,
I have been wondering why we need to ask for the annual pass discounts when the annual pass is on my magic band. Would having the annual pass card be a more obvious indication of the discount benefit?
Thanks

16 Dave { 09.23.18 at 11:44 am }

Cindy, I’m always taken aback by it as well. I imagine they must have had some fraud issues (or have a system problem).

17 kristin { 10.05.18 at 9:08 am }

Hi:-) Visiting DW April, 2019. I really want to try the Storybook Dining at Artist Pointe. The best day for us to do it would be after a magic kingdom morning/afternoon. We would be taking the bus over. Any idea if the dress code will be more relaxed for this new character dining?

18 Dave { 10.06.18 at 11:35 am }

Kristin, I expect the dress code to disappear entirely!

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